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Why do you have to recharge AC?

Your air conditioning relies on refrigerant; it is the lifeblood it needs to function. Refrigerant is the substance that absorbs heat from inside the home and carries it outside. Without the refrigerant substance, the entire cooling process of the air conditioning system doesn’t work. This is why if an air conditioner is low on refrigerant, a recharge is necessary to get the unit cooling again. 

Can you recharge a home air conditioner?

Yes, there is recharge refrigerant for home ac units. However, it should be understood that the refrigerant level in a home air conditioning does not get lower the more you use it. The refrigerant in a home air conditioning unit cycles with itself between the indoor and outdoor components. If all components are working as they are designed and intended to, the system should always have the same level of refrigerant. A refrigerant recharge shouldn’t ever be needed as long as the system is working properly. 

There are two circumstances in which an air conditioner may need refrigerant recharge: 

1. A refrigerant leak. The most common reason for a low refrigerant level is a leak in one of the refrigerant lines. If this happens the line needs to be patched or replaced before a refrigerant recharge is done. 
2. An undercharged system. If a system wasn’t charged sufficiently upon installation, it will need a refrigerant recharge. 

Another important note about refrigerant charging for ac in a home, business, or vehicle is that it must be done by a certified and licensed technician. This is because refrigerant is a government monitored substance, much like prescription medications, and not something that can be purchased off th shelf today. 

How do you recharge your AC? 

If somebody suggests that your air conditioning needs a refrigerant recharge, adding more of the substance that makes it absorb the heat and pushes it outside, keep in mind that this isn’t a DIY project. With the EPA regulations that are in place today, AKA the law, a refrigerant recharge can only be done by a certified professional that has been trained in how to recharge refrigerant central air conditioners and licensed to administer this process. 

How much refrigerant do I need?

This is one of the important things technicians receive training for when it comes to working with air conditioning systems. The basic rule followed for the amount of refrigerant recharge needed for a residential air conditioning unit is two to four pounds. 

How much does it cost to recharge AC?

Since an air conditioner should never run low on refrigerant, recharge is only done when there is a leak, and the cost of the recharge will depend on what the certified technician finds wrong. The leak will need to be patched or the line that’s leaking will need to be replaced, if possible. After that, the refrigerant recharge takes place. Because it is charged by the pound, how many pounds a unit needs will also determine the cost of the refrigerant recharge, parts, and labor. 

An experienced certified technician will discuss the problem found and advise you if repairing the unit and the refrigerant recharge is worthwhile or if you should get a new unit. If the unit is older, a refrigerant recharge is only a temporary fix. 

A whole house filter maybe in a housing or it may be a cartridge that is installed into the ductwork right in front of the HVAC unit in your home. Some varieties fit in prior to being installed. Whole house air filtration systems purpose is to remove harmful particulates from the air in a home. Particles like the airborne viruses we don’t see along with mold, pet dander, pollen, and those everyday odors that we become accustomed to in our homes. Whole house air filtration systems clean and create healthy air for the whole home, not just one or two rooms. 

Where should I put my air purifier in my house?

Experts recommend that you place a stand-alone air purifier where the odor is the most offensive, the strongest. For instance, where the smoker in your home does most of their smoking or in a room that tends to have that funky odor. A few pointers where to place a stand-alone air purifier: 

• An air purifier should not be placed  behind furniture or under furniture or shelving. 
• An air purifier should be elevated, but not any higher than 5 feet from the floor. 
• All exterior doors and windows should be closed when the air purifier is on. 
• An air purifier should not be placed near electronics like microwaves, stereo equipment, or near a television. 
• Keep your air purifier opposite side of the roof of a humidifier. 

Trapping odors that aren’t originated inside your home can be difficult, but placement of an purifier where the odor(s) are coming is recommended along with following the above listed pointers. 

Can air purifiers be harmful?

Yes, but no, maybe?  Indoor air purification systems and unit have become widely popular with more and more homeowners concerned with air pollution and the health of their family. While an air purifier targets airborne particles, dust, pollen, and VOCs (volatile organic compounds), there are some unit that produce ozone in the process of cleaning the air. 

There are ionic air purifiers that charge airborne particles and attract them electrostatically to metal electrodes, then as an ionization byproduct, emit ozone. Even if only a few milligrams of ozone are emitted each hour, it is the same amount as what dry-process photocopier emits with continuous operation.

Ozone has been known to cause chest pains, coughing, and damage, irritate throats and cause shortness of breath. Where air purifiers are intended to help those with respirator disease and issues, the ozone created can worsen them and compromise the body’s ability to fight a respiratory infection. 

 If you’re in the market for an air purifier, here are some tips as what to avoid: 

• Ozone Production. There are air purifiers on the market that produce ozone, a known lung irritant. Choose an air purifier that doesn’t emit ozone. 
• HEPA Filters. Choose an air purifier that uses a HEPA  air purifier, the gold standard for creating pure air. Hospitals and other healthcare settings use only HEPA filters for a reason. 
• Individual Room Units. Experts recommend whole house air filtration systems versus individual room unit. Keeping clean, fresh air for the entire home makes more sense then pick and choosing rooms. 

3. Rid Odors

A home with persistent odors from cooking or tobacco can be hard to eliminate. Whole house air filtration systems with activated carbon filter or charcoal filters are ideal in helping with those odors and more.

4. Reduces Everyone Getting Sick

Whole house air filtration systems remove some bacteria and that are keeping everyone in your home from being in good health, especially during the winter  months when houses are shut up. pathogens.

Whole house air filtration systems are the best way to go, but not always affordable or feasible. When that is the case, household air purifiers comparison is better than nothing, and when combined with replacing the central air filter, dirty air has less chance of making everyone sick. Call (714) 464-6622 today for your air purifier installation in Orange, CA.

What are the symptoms of bad air quality in the home?

Your family’s health is one of the best ways to determine if the indoor air quality of your home is bad. If any member for your family suffers from these things, it may not “just allergies” causing them:

• Congestion and coughing
• Sneezing and watery eyes
• Headaches
• Frequent nosebleeds

Pay close attention to anyone that shows these symptoms and if they didn’t show them until they had been in your home for period of time.  Things that can cause poor indoor air quality include asbestos, off-gassing, and toxic mold spores.  These can all create and lead to your family suffering extreme health consequences and developing into a chronic sickness including and beyond chills, dizziness, fatigue, fever, muscle aches, nausea/vomiting, rashes, and shortness of breath.

Your home could be telling you that you have poor indoor air quality too with things like:

• Dust Buildup: If you have a significant buildup of dust on surfaces and around the vents, your home probably has indoor air quality issues. Simply upgrading your air filter to an HEPA filter could be all the fix your home needs.
• Inconsistent Air Distribution: Does your home have cold and warm spots? This is indicative that your home has poor air distribution which probably means you have poor indoor air quality. Have your HVAC system professionally inspected and consider either new windows or having the windows tinted.
• Humidity Issues: The relative humidity in your home should be between 35% and 50% for ideal comfort and prevent the grown of microorganism. When there isn’t enough humidity, it creates a poor indoor air quality everyone suffers from dry and itchy eyes, sinus, and skin. There is n increase in upper respiratory infections and furniture begins to warp. When the humidity is too high, it creates the perfect setting for mildew, mold, and microbe growth. These things can be remedied by adding dehumidifiers and humidifiers.
• Mildew & Mold Growth: Mildew and mold growth typically happen when the relative humidity level is high the air circulation is poor.  A musty odor accompanies mold issues with black and green spots around sinks, tubs, and other moist areas, all creating poor indoor air quality.
• Unpleasant Odors: A home with that musty, unpleasant odors of mildew and mold will usually have a pest infestation, and decomposition of dirt, debris, and dust on surfaces in your home.

What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants?

The Environmental Protection Agency says there are thirteen common sources for indoor air pollutants within four categories:

• VOC
• Biological pollutants
• Combustion byproducts
• Legacy pollutants

 Yes, polluted air isn’t just from factories and vehicles. Four of the most common factors to poor indoor air quality are:

• Carbon Monoxide – an invisible and odorless gas from fossil fuels.
• Radon – a colorless and odorless gas from uranium breaking down in the Earth.
• Nitrogen Dioxide – a corrosive and toxic gas.
• Secondhand smoke – containing over 4,000 chemical ingredients from tobacco smoke

How do you test indoor air quality?

Technology today provides us a less expensive and smaller types of indoor air quality tests using sensors. By strategically placing these sensors around your home as instructed, one very ten thousand square feet is recommended, you’ll be able to test your home for measurement of the following pollutants:

• Carbon monoxide
• Formaldehyde
• Humidity
• Particulate matter
• Radon
• VOC’s

There are sensors that can measure bioaerosols, methane, and more that can all effect the indoor air quality of your home.

How much does an indoor air quality test cost?

 There are indoor air quality testing kits for various pollutants you can purchase for as little as $10.00 at your local hardware or big box home improvement stores.  Along with those kids, you an also purchase alarms for carbon dioxide, fire alarm, smoke alarm, and radon.

Or you can have your home tested by a professional, with rates starting around $250.00 up to $500.00 and more.  The professional tests are more detailed and extensive, including samples collected for analyzing. The more extensive testing, the more it will cost and the longer it will take to get results.

Your vehicle is an expensive purchase, and you have routine maintenance to keep it in top condition. The same should be true of your HVAC system and the HVAC maintenance. Do furnaces need to be serviced? Absolutely!  With a routine schedule of hvac maintenance, benefits you will gain include: 

• Energy Bills Lowered: Examine your energy bill and you may notice slight increases. This is can often be because of the HVAC system isn’t operating as efficient as it could. With a professional HVAC maintenance and inspection, it will be tuned up and operating better. Keeping a routine of annual HVAC maintenance and inspection by a professional HVAC contractor will keep it in that condition. 
• Less Unexpected Repairs: With routine professional HVAC maintenance and inspection, those pesky issues get found and taken care of before they become an expensive repair. When you notice any odd odor or sound coming from your HVAC system, take that as an indication it is time to schedule a professional HVAC maintenance appointment, then keep a routine of an annual appointment to avoid those unexpected repairs.
• Breakdowns Become Minimal: Even nonexistent! Having the air conditioning quit on the hottest day of summer or the heater does not turn on the coldest night of winter is the last thing anybody wants to happen. With a professional routine of HVAC maintenance and inspections, the things that cause either of those are less likely to happen. 
• Extended Lifespan: A new HVAC system is a huge expense for any homeowner. To get the most out of your expenditure, having a regular routine of HVAC maintenance by you and routine professional HVAC check-ups and inspections, you’ll extend the life of your HVAC system, and delay the need to purchase another one anytime soon. 
• Safety: Safety is one of the most biggest things why hvac maintenance is important. With regular HVAC maintenance checks and inspections by you on a monthly routine and by a professional annually, potentially dangerous problems are found and resolved. A malfunctioning heater can be hazardous to the health and lives of your family from carbon monoxide poisoning. The possibility of fires become more possible when HVAC maintenance has been ignored. 

What is routine maintenance on a furnace?

A routine HVAC maintenance for the furnace is a common sense and small amount of effort. The TLC you extend to your air conditioning and furnace will keep your home comfortable and safe while extending the life of the system. Routine HVAC maintenance will give you all the benefits we listed above, and the biggest two that you’ll notice is energy bill savings and possible down time on a cold freezing night or blistering hot day.  

How do I maintain my heating system?

We offer this  simple checklist for your furnace HVAC maintenance: 

1. Clean or change the air  filter

The air filter has a crucial job of the air delivered from the furnace being clean. The air filter removes particulates out of the air it takes in from your home before it heats it and sends it back out. Those particulates can affect your family’s health include bacterial, dust and dust mites, pet dander, pollen, spores, and more. Cleaning or changing the air filter every 30 days is an easy and an inexpensive way to provide your home a basic HVAC maintenance and protection. 

2. Correctly Functioning Blower Motor

The blower motor in the furnace is what drives the fan to get the air movement through the furnace over the heating element and through the heat exchanger. All of that activity is what keeps your home at a comfortable and desired temperature as the blower motor pushes that air out. Keep the blower motor surface clean and if you hear loud noises like metal grinding or scraping, call a professional furnace technician for service. 

3. Reduce the Load

Keeping your home’s structure sound and stable will reduce the load on the furnace for keeping your home comfortable and warm.  The more leaks to the attic (remember hot air rises), and around the doors and windows, the harder your furnace has to work. Part of your HVAC maintenance routine is check for any weakness in these areas and addressing them promptly.   

4. Keeping Vents Clear and Free

For your furnace heating system to work as well as you expect and the warm air circulating, throughout the system, make sure all the vents are opened and clear of anything blocking them. From boxes and curtains to furniture and toys, anything that is in front of or on top of the vents will eliminate that furnace warmed air from circulating and the furnace will work harder to maintain the temperature you desire. 

5. Keep Exhaust Flue Clear

The exhaust flue is on the outside of your home and should be included on your regular HVAC maintenance routine. A flue that is blocked or malfunctioning can create dangerous setting with carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide that will fill your home. These can each cause multiple health issues and even death. 

6. Keep the Furnace Clear

A furnace is often located in a basement, a closet, the crawl space, or a storage room. Keep flammable things away from the furnace like aerosols, gasoline, and paint that are usually found in garages. Or things like boxes, clothes, and furniture found in attics and closets. These things are flammable and having them stored around or near the furnace is a dangerous risk. 

7. Keep Ductwork and Vents Clean

To get the most from your cooling and heating system, an important part of the HVAC maintenance process is keeping the ductwork and vents clean. You can do this yourself or hire an air duct cleaning service, once every 2 to 3 years is recommended. This will also minimize the dust in your home! 

Is annual maintenance on furnace necessary?

Manufacturers of furnaces and HVAC systems recommend having a professional contractor inspect your hvac for maintenance and longevity. These annual inspections and HVAC maintenance appointment with a qualified technician will not only keep your system operating correctly, but guarantee the warranty is honored. A HVAC system that is not properly maintained can void any manufacturer warranty, citing owner neglect.

How many years does HVAC last?

With proper maintenance by the homeowner, including monthly air filter change,  and professional inspection and maintenance annually, a HVAC system can last up to 15 years  or longer.  When air conditioning and heater repair is needed, it is important to the efficiency and lifespan, EOM  hvac parts and accessories be used, not any cross-referenced or generic. Places that sell hvac parts to the public  are known for cross-referencing brand name parts or selling generic parts. They don’t always work correctly and can void any possible warranty you have left for your HVAC system.

Is switching between heat and AC bad?

Frequent switching between heater to air conditioning is fine, when done correctly. This shouldn’t create an increase in your utilities or put any extra strain or your HVAC system that would require air conditioner or heater repair. 

So, what is the correct way to switch from air conditioning to heating or vice versa? First, you need to let the unit complete the current cycle, meaning if the air condition is on, wait until it completes and does auto off before switching to heater. The same is to be done if it is in heater mode, let it finish the cycle before switching to air conditioning. Keep these two things in mind to help minimize the need for air conditioning or heater repair:

• Patience: If you’re cold or hot, waiting that five minutes for the air condition refrigerant to return to the starting pressure may seem like an hour. However, by turning it back immediately while the pressure is high can lock up the compressor or trip the breaker.  
• Be Gentle: When switching between cooling and heating, refrain from drastic changes and adjust the temperature just a few degrees at a time. This efficient process will prevent the system from being overworked and the need for air conditioning or heater repair.

You need to realize that while it is okay to switch the system from cold to heat, it does make the system work harder. If this is a practice within your household, you should consider having a professional inspection and maintenance twice a year versus the recommended annual appointment. 

• Air flow is weak coming through the vents: this is an indication the blower motor isn’t blowing as hard and can’t push the air through the vents. This issue can also be from a clogged or dirty air filter. Change or clean the air filter to see if that helps and you may be able to avoid having a heater repair service call. 
• There isn’t any airflow is often the blower motor has totally quit. It can also be the thermostat batter, the fan control switch, or several other factors. You can change the batteries out in the thermostat before you call for an air conditioner and heater repair service. 
• Energy bills have gotten unusually high because it is taking more electricity to turn the blower motor and circulate the air throughout the house.  
• Loud and strange noises coming from your HVAC system is often the blower motor. This is a situation that you need to schedule a air conditioning and heater repair service call. 
• Overheating blower motor can be from a buildup of dirt, dust, and grime that isn’t allowing it to operate as intended. A  professional air and heater repair service call will include the system being inspected and if the blower needs to be repaired or replaced, the technician can address that with you. 

Do your part in HVAC maintenance will help minimize the possibility of heater repair service calls, including changing or cleaning the air filter.  How often should HVAC filter be replaced? Basic recommendations is every 30 days, more frequent if you live on a dirt road or have animals in the house. Need HVAC repair or replacement in Orange, CA? Call (714) 464-6622 today.

Of course, it all depends on who you speak with in determining electric or gas furnace choices. Everyone has an opinion such as electric furnaces aren’t as energy-efficient than a gas models. However, like current technology has improved with gas furnaces it has with electric furnaces as well, and they can hold up in fair comparison today.

Why does an electric furnace need maintenance?

An electric furnace works through resistance heating, meaning its power comes from the heating element coils inside the furnace cabinet. When the electric furnace is on, it heats up the coils and elements and that heats up the air that blows through the ductwork.

What is electric furnace maintenance?

All of this puts stress on the coil and heating elements, and without professional electric furnace maintenance and routine care by the homeowner, they will need replacing, usually at the most inopportune time. During a professional electric furnace maintenance service call, the technician will perform the following:

• Inspect the heating elements
• Inspect the entire system, adjusting, cleaning, tightening as needed
• Inspect the air handler
• Inspect the motors, cleaning and lubricating as needed
• Inspect the capacitors, replace any that may be failing

At the end of the electric furnace maintenance checkup, the technician will advise the homeowner is any additional work is recommended that my need their approval for expense.

What is electric furnace maintenance?

An electric furnace maintenance routine is when the components inside the electric furnace are inspected, cleaned, tightened, repaired, or replaced. The technician will check the blower motor, making sure it is sending the heated air through the heating elements and on through the air duct and ventilation system.

Electric furnace maintenance checks of the blower fan and motor will make sure they aren’t damaged or near being worn down. Cleaning and lubricating these parts are an important part of the electric furnace maintenance routine.

How often should an electric furnace be serviced?

The electric furnace should have an annual cleaning by a professional included with the electric furnace maintenance. Is electric furnace maintenance necessary? If you want your electric furnace to keep working through the winter without downtime, yes. A professional electric furnace maintenance will include looking for indications of deterioration.

There are five indicators of an electric furnace deteriorating, that the technician will be checking:

• Electric furnace is over fifteen years old
• Your energy heating bills are skyrocketing
• You’re having constant repairs to your electric furnace
• The temperature is uneven throughout your house
• There is  soot around the registers
• The electric furnace is loud and noisy

How often should you clean your furnace?

A complete electric furnace, duct cleaning, dryer vents and other components can cost between $200 to $400 on average, maybe more in some areas. So, it only makes sense that a homeowner on budget is going to question the validity of how often.

Experienced electric  furnace cleaning technicians recommend no less than every 2 year and if there are pets in the house, once a year. Other signs that could be telling you to it is time for an electric furnace maintenance service would be:

• Wisps of dust blow out of air vents
• Dust or pet hair stuck in vent?
• Vent grill are covered in dust?
• You have to dust more frequent?

Or have you noticed any increase in the following:

• Excessive coughing
• Eyes and throat are irritated
• Respiratory illnesses
• Seasonal allergies off-season

Just how long should an electric furnace last? With proper maintenance by the homeowner and professional electric furnace maintenance and inspections, you can expect a lifespan between twenty and thirty years. Need help with your furnace in Orange, CA? Call (714) 464-6622 today!

How do you service a heating system?

In the fall, when you schedule your annual, your HVAC technician will have a heating system maintenance checklist that they follow for the service. This will list all the items they’re going to test, inspect, adjust, and clean. The service will typically include:

• Inspection of vents as well as air intake grilles and removal of any clogs or blockages.
• Inspection of the heat exchanger to ensure there’s no damage or corrosion present.
• Test blower motor’s amp draw and repair or replace any wiring that’s damage.
• Examination of belts for damage.
• Inspection of burners and sensors for damage.
• Inspection and calibration of thermostat.
• Cleaning or replacing the air filter.
• Testing of safety controls as well as the start-up cycle.

How do you maintain a boiler heating system?

Heating system maintenance for boilers is fairly similar to maintenance for a central heating system. Boilers, however, not only have vents, but they also have chimneys as part of the ventilation system, and the chimney will need to be inspected as well. When inspecting the chimney, the HVAC technician looks for holes or broken connections.

The boiler will also have to be flushed regularly. The boiler’s power and water supply will need to be shut off when it’s being flushed. Also, the circulating pump, which moves water around the system, will have to be lubricated.

In floor heating system maintenance

One of the latest trends in heating is in-floor or radiant heating, in which tubing or pipes are placed under your flooring to radiate heat. This is an efficient and space-saving method for heating, but it still needs to be maintained regularly. Radiant heaters, in particular, need to maintain consistent pressure for efficient heating, and the pressure should be checked when you have the system serviced. For water-based in-floor systems, you’ll also have to have the pipes checked for leaks. The condition of pumps and valves also will need to be checked and cleaned.

Commercial heating system maintenance

Keeping commercial heating systems maintained is essential to your employees’ comfort. These heating systems are much larger and often more complicated to maintain. One major complication for repair and maintenance is that they are often installed on rooftops, which means safety is definitely a priority. Like residential HVAC systems, they need to be serviced once a year, preferably in the fall. It’s also essential for ventilation and filters to be cleaned or changed regularly.

How often should you clean your central heating system?

When you get your annual heating system maintenance performed, various components will be cleaned. If you have central heating and air, you also want to get your ductwork cleaned at least once every three to seven years as well. Ducts can get blocked and accumulate dust which obstructs airflow and diminishes indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality can affect your health, especially if you have asthma, allergies, or other respiratory conditions.

How do I fix my central heating system?

Sometimes heating system maintenance issues can be resolved with a little troubleshooting. One simple thing to do is regularly clean or change your filters, at least once every 30 days or so. Dirty filters affect your indoor air quality as well as airflow. It’s very possible for air filters to get so dirty they cause components to overheat or cause your system to shut down.

If you are having problems with temperature control, the first place to look is your thermostat. Make sure it’s on the right setting and set to a comfortable temperature. Look at its wiring to see if it’s damaged and check its batteries if it runs on batteries.

What are the 4 major indoor air pollutants?

Well, there are more than four, but the major pollutants that an air filtration system could minimize or even eliminate are: 

• Carbon monoxide – A colorless, odorless gas produced by natural gas, kerosene, propane, oil, or wood burning appliances or heaters, and an element of car exhaust.
• Tobacco smoke – Over 3,000 chemical compounds are composed together are released into the homes of smokers. 
• Radon – Another colorless and odorless gas but is radioactive and comes from the earth in the form of a uranium breaking down in the soil below our homes, then seeps through the floors, foundation, and walls. 
• Mold – Any damp area in your home, air conditioner, basement, carpeting, ceiling, humidifier, mattress, refrigerator, will grow airborne mold spores.

Other pollutants found in home are pesticides and solvents. Both provide dangerous breathing situations with their ingredients. If a humidifier can be good for the home, then what about the mold mentioned earlier? What is the difference between an air purifiers vs dehumidifiers? 

An air in your home is circulated through an air purifier. Inside that air purifier is the air filtration system where air-borne pollutants are trapped in a filter, including irritants like dust, pollen, and smoke. 

A dehumidifier reduces the humidity by sucking in moisture from the air. Once that moisture is sucked in, the microbes and mold in the air are killed.  So, because a humidifier sucks in mold, if the filter isn’t changed on regular schedule, those air-borne mold particles are released back into the air you’re breathing. An air filtration system will suck in those particles and minimize how much is escaping into the air. 

Should I sleep with air purifier on?

The  air purifiers benefits your family can have should be around the clock, and if they are more important at any point, it is while you’re sleeping.  The pollutants inside your home are coming from things like formaldehyde in the flooring and furniture. These are things escaping into the air 24/7/365. Fortunately, an air filtration system or air purifier doesn’t use much energy, and most have a low speed you can set the unit at while it is constantly running. 

Do air purifiers cool the air?

While an air purifier circulates air with an internal fan, it does not cool the air. There is nothing inside an air filtration system, like a mechanism that cools. 

Do air purifiers dry out sinuses?

No, and air purifier will not dry out your sinuses. There are a series of filters inside an air filtration system and air moves through those, getting rid of any airborne molecules. An air purifier is only taking in particles, not the air, which is what dries sinuses out. 

Humidity is different every season, so we have to approach and treat it differently. When the weather is at its hottest, summertime, the humidity is sometimes intolerable for many. So, using a method that will lower the humidity makes us more comfortable, like a dehumidifier. 

During the winter, the humidity is different and actually drop too low, causing your home to be extra dry when the heater is running. So, you need a piece of equipment that adds the moisture back into your home.    

Keep your carpets cleaned, daily vacuuming once a month shampoo, and twice a year professionally cleaned. Installing air purifiers or mold removers in areas that are damp and prone to have mold, bathrooms, laundry room, and kitchen. Anyone that smokes, ask them do take it outside and when you enter your home, take off your shoes!  These are tracking in more pollutants and toxins that you’re breathing in. Want to get started with an air filtration system for your home? Call (714) 464-6622 today!

Refrigerant is the product, and Freon is the brand name. Think of a tissue is the product, and Kleenex is the brand name.  Freon is a trademark product of DuPont. There are other brands of refrigerant recharge, which more consumers are turning to because of the concern of the environment. The following are the four most suitable refrigerants to replace the Freon brand: 

• R-134A
• R-407C
• R-404A
• R-410A

If a technician has advised you that your air conditioner needs a refrigerant recharge, ask if they have these other brands and will they work on your air conditioner. Some air conditioners have to be retrofit to take a different brand of refrigerant recharge. At that point, you may be better off replacing your unit if there is a leak. 

Can you recharge an air conditioner?

HVAC air conditioning and windows air conditioners can have a refrigerant recharge. However, if there is a leak, it will escape. A small leak will take some time for that refrigerant recharge to escape, and if it leaks fast, then you’ll know you have a large leak. Keep in mind that while this refrigerant recharge is leaking, it is not environmentally friendly and is depleting the ozone.

How often do you need to add Freon to home AC?

If everything within your HVAC air conditioner is working correctly, it shouldn’t ever need a refrigerant recharge. The only time an air conditioner “needs a refrigerant recharge is when it has a leak, and as we’ve mentioned earlier, refrigerant recharge your air conditioner is like adding air to a tire with a hole. It will simply leak out again if you don’t fix the leak. We aren’t saying a refrigerant recharge doesn’t have its purpose, why else would the product and tools be on the market if there wasn’t a reason? However, we can’t state this enough; if the leak isn’t found and fixed, a refrigerant recharge is a waste of money and time.

Here are five indicators that your air conditioner needs a refrigerant recharge.”

• The air conditioner is continuously running: The refrigerant absorbs heat from the inside of your house and sends it outside. When there isn’t any or enough coolant, it can’t do that will keep attempting to cool the warm air inside your home. That leads to the following fact: Higher energy bills.
• Higher energy bills: Air conditioning is going to increase your energy bills some, that is just a given during the summer months. However, if it seems to have jumped up more than it has before, there is something wrong. This leads us to the following fact: Closed vents.
• Air isn’t cold: When an air conditioner doesn’t have enough refrigerant, it can’t absorb the heat from your home. This means only warm air will be coming out of the vents, and usually a reduced amount of airflow. What this is doing is building ice up inside the air conditioner, which leads us to the following fact: Iced refrigerant lines. 
• Iced over refrigerant lines: Your next step is to check the component outside your home, and if the refrigerant lines going into the house have ice on them, your air conditioner needs a refrigerant recharge or replacing. 
• Bubbling/Hissing noises: A small refrigerant leaks are silent, so if you can hear any bubbling or hissing sounds, you need to call a professional air conditioning repair service immediately.

Note: A good air conditioning technician will advise you that your system has a leak and give you a quote for repairing the leak, not just “top you off” with a refrigerant recharge. Some repair companies will be glad to keep returning to “top you off” because they make money from that service. Use a reputable air conditioning service. 

Can you recharge Home AC yourself? and How do I recharge my home AC unit? are two popular questions. Why? Because everybody likes to save money! Even air conditioning professionals understand that! 

We wouldn’t be true to ourselves if we didn’t state this: Performing a refrigerant recharge can be dangerous. These cans of refrigerant and the refrigerant lines on your air conditioner are under high pressure. The refrigerant itself is sold only to a licensed air conditioning professional by law set forth by the Environmental Protection Administration. 

If you can find somebody to buy the refrigerant from, you’ll need special equipment and tools to perform the refrigerant recharge procedure. If you are determined to attempt this yourself, and you don’t know how to refrigerant recharge, we offer the following: 

• Make sure you purchase the right refrigerant for your air conditioner. There are different kinds and using the wrong one could make the situation worse. 
• Check all the components inside the air condition and compressor, making sure it is all in working order and clean.  
• Plug the service valve from your refrigerant kit into a compressor line in the air conditioner unit and follow the instructions in the kit and attached to the service valve.
• The refrigerant kit should have a small valve connector.  Plug the remaining compressor lines from the air conditioner compressor then follow the instructions in the refrigerant kit.
• Attach the refrigerant container to the two valves you installed and follow the instructions in the refrigerant kit, securing the container between the valves. 
• After you are finished installing the refrigerant, turn your air conditioning on full blast so that the refrigerant is forced into the air conditioning system. Once the refrigerant is loaded, turn off the system and remove the refrigerant container and valves. 

While having an energy efficient air conditioner is on obvious way to save on energy cost, how do you know you’re getting the best energy efficient air conditioner? Homeowners that start shopping for an energy efficient air conditioner often will ask the salesperson, “Which air conditioner is most energy efficient?” All the manufacturers will tell you theirs are, but truly, which is the most energy efficient air conditioner and how do you know? 

Experts in air conditioning will tell you that the models and units that are the most energy efficient are ENERGY STAR® compliant. Manufacturers must meet standards that are above the basic standards to receive this certification as an energy efficient air conditioner unit with criteria like:

• minimum ten percent more efficient than government standard requirements
• made with better materials and parts that are more efficient for energy use
• superior performance for consumers
• provide consumers reduced energy costs for recouping their upfront expense
• eco or energy-saving mode, filter cleaning reminders

Is it cheaper to run your AC all day?

When the temperatures will be hot, it is less expensive to live your air conditioner on during the day, even if you’re not hope. However, it shouldn’t be left at full blast and cold the whole time. This isn’t only to be energy efficient or cost effective. It can wear your unit out faster and you’ll be having repair cost or replacement cost sooner.

At what temperature AC consumes less power?

To maintain an ideal setting for the air conditioner, set the thermostat at 25 degrees cooler than the expected high for the day. Each 22 degree drop uses as much as four percent less power.

What are 7 ways that you can reduce yfour own personal consumption of energy?

We listed five things you can do to reduce energy consumption earlier, but there are more things you can do. The following is a list of energy efficient tips that you can implement in addition to purchasing energy efficient air conditioner, because not all energy efficiency is electrical. Look:

1. Energy Efficiency the Refrigerator

Setting the temperature at 37 degrees will lessen how much  energy this appliance uses. Make sure all the gaskets around the freezer and fridge door are sealing too.

2. Switch on Fluorescent Bulbs

CF (compact fluorescent) bulbs use just one-fifth of the incandescent light bulbs and they have a longer lifespan up to six times.

3. Automatic or Timed Light Sensors

Outdoor lighting provides security, but you don’t need them on all the time isn’t necessary though. Have a professional electrician install automatic and timed sensors for all your outdoor lighting so they only come on at dusk and turn off at dawn.

4. Solar-Powered Lighting

Nothing says welcome more than a walkway lit up, or flowerbeds with soft lighting shining on your home’s architecture. Having all those lights burning when you don’t need them is a waste of energy. Switch out all the landscape lighting with solar-powered lights and let the sun power them! 

5. Buy Appliances with EnergyStar Rating

As we mentioned above when buying energy efficient air conditioner, the EnergyStar standards indicate you will get a money saving air conditioner. The same is to be said about all appliances and electronics. These all cost more to purchase, but to be in line with the EnergyStar guidelines, the appliances have to be guaranteed to have a lower operating cost.

6. Insulation Is the Big Winner

If your home has electric heat, the more insulation you can have in the attic, basement, and walls, the more you’ll mitigate the energy loss and reduce your home’s electricity consumption during the winter. During the summer, it does just the opposite and keeps the cool air in and the heat out. Insulating your home will help keep that cool air from your new energy efficient air conditioner inside where it belongs!  

7. Insulate the Water Lines and Water Heater

Wrap your electric water heater with an insulation jacket will reduce how much electricity it uses and wrap the hot water lines will keep the water hot from the water heater to the faucet.